EXCLUSIVE! Ridge Unabridged

At a time when America was reeling from the attacks of 9/11, one man stepped up to turn what could have been utter chaos into a finely focused effort to guard against future atrocities on U.S. soil. That man was two-term Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, who was sworn in as the first Office of Homeland Security advisor by President Bush on Oct. 8, 2001. He was later sworn in as the first secretary of the newly formed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Jan. 24, 2003.

While with DHS, Ridge was charged with the Herculean task of developing and coordinating a comprehensive national strategy to strengthen protection against terrorist threats or attacks. The ambitious undertaking involved the largest government reorganization in more than 50 years and combined 22 federal agencies with in excess of 170,000 employees.

Ridge — a former lawyer who was elected to Congress in 1982 and was the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House, where he was overwhelmingly reelected six times — stepped down from his DHS post on Feb. 1 to pursue personal interests. His impressive political and DHS experience make him uniquely qualified to provide inside information about the federal government and national security. In an exclusive, Security Sales and Integration recently spoke with Ridge. In what he calls the “most extensive interview of his career,” Ridge candidly talks about his legacy and the future of DHS; the realities of terrorism; the opportunities for security dealers and systems integrators; and the pursuit of a national ID program.

Organizing DHS No Small Task; Foundation Set for Successor
Now that you have had several months to put things in perspective, how do you feel about your tenure with DHS? What were the successes? What were the failures?
Ridge: I believe the team we assembled and the work we completed created both a very strong national and international foundation for DHS to continue to improve and enhance the safety and security of this country. It is strong, broad and deep, and it is a great platform for future secretaries to build on.

The greatest political fact of life was we partnered successfully with Congress in many different ways, but the number of committees and subcommittees was far in excess of any other agency. That does not allow for the development of strategic relationships with the legislative branch that I believe would be in the best interest of homeland security. Constantly testifying and responding to staff inquiries and briefing Capitol Hill is very time-consuming.

It would better serve the country if, similar to the Department of Defense, there would be one primary committee with which we could establish strategic and budget priorities — instead we report to more than 80 committees and subcommittees. It is not the most effective use of people and talent in both the legislative branch and DHS.

I know changing the structure is an uphill battle, but I hope Congress, in time, will see the enormous benefit associated with making a significant change in this area. The only turf battle we ought to worry about is the ground we sit on, not the committees we sit in. We are prepared to be accountable, but the public has no idea how much time we spend on the Hill.

Does it trouble you that some have criticized the Homeland Security Advisory System and the disaster kits?
Ridge: The Advisory System has proven its value the past couple of years. We have not used it nationally in a year-and-a-half. It was designed to be used in almost a surgical way and the past two times it was used it has demonstrated its versatility.

We needed some means of communicating to the general public and the president’s homeland security group [several select cabinet members] that DHS believed the possibility of attack had increased. It is also a direct, specific signal to security professionals to increase vigilance because of the higher threat. It is a good system and is working well. It will continue to do so as long as we share information with the public.

Some ridiculed the disaster kits, but they are nothing more than what the Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] had urged people to keep in their homes for decades. Those caught up in disasters or weather events can give testimony to the practical use for having a disaster kit at their disposal when they needed it.

What is your opinion of the new DHS leadership and what do you expect to see them accomplish?
Ridge: Secretary Michael Chertoff and Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson bring with them decades of private sector and public service experience and have already demonstrated the kind of leadership and expertise necessary to continue the momentum we built up in the department.

They just completed a second-stage review of all the initiatives we had recommended. They are very open-minded about changes and accepted several suggestions we left them with. They also added many new innovations themselves. In a very short period of time, they have shown they are open to good ideas regardless of the source. They also showed they are very energetic and capable.

Mass Transit Cannot Be Secured; It Is About Minimizing Vulnerability
Are you surprised nothing major has happened on U.S. soil since 9/11? What do you attribute that to?
Ridge: I am grateful, not surprised. There can be many reasons that together explain it, and it may be as simple as they have not completed their plans or the time is not quite right. There are also many reasons we could look to in a positive sense, as America has deployed enhanced security features everywhere.

We are a very open and diverse country, which means we will continue to have vulnerabilities throughout. Every day that goes by allows us greater opportunity to prevent something from happening.

How can we combat those terrorists who are ingrained in the fabric of society, such as the London suicide bombers?
Ridge: The notion that terrorists could be homegrown is not new; look at Timothy McVeigh. We should not operate under any illusion that among our huge population there are not people who subscribe to the ideology of hate and who might actually today be plotting their own terrorist attack. Some might even be U.S. citizens.

The recent London explosions and murders bring it home in a very tragic way. There is greater awareness among the public about the threat of how these terrorists operate, but as we look at the purpose and use of the mass-transit system, it is not possible to completely secure it. People using mass transit are in a hurry and any significant alteration to it would impact its function.

All you can do is reduce the vulnerability, not eliminate it. There may be some technology in the future that could be deployed at entry points to help detect explosives. In the meantime, you use everything at your disposal and pray for the best.

What role do you see the private sector playing in securing America?
Ridge:
They have a critical role and, in many respects, a responsibility. It is quite clear that 85 percent of the critical infrastructure is owned by the private sector and it is their primary responsibility to protect it against potential terrorist attack.

This is a huge role for them, consistent with their fiduci
ary responsibilities to their shareholders, employees and the communities in which they operate. They are a prime-time participant in our national effort to secure the country.

Despite Obstacles, National ID Is Inevitable; Biometrics to Be in Mix
What about a national ID? What form do you believe it should take and how long before it is implemented?

Ridge: First, everyone should understand that the legislation Congress used to create the department instructed DHS it could not develop such a card. However, at some point in time, in the near future, since I believe as a country we are evolving in that direction anyhow, we ought to accept the notion that there are many benefits to be derived from being able to authenticate identity.

We ought to sit down and see if we can construct a system that limits access.

I cannot tell you what the requirements would be as I am not smart enough technically, but I am optimistic we could come up with a form of identification whose use would be limited and protected. We have people in many private sector industries where they are already issuing such IDs – this is the direction we are heading in anyway.

Drivers licenses and Social Security cards are subject to so much abuse and replication that they are of little value when it comes to security. I believe such a card needs to include biometrics. The biometrics integrated into the US-VISIT program that DHS implemented is a legacy of success and an excellent use of technology for identification.

I believe any ID system today requires multiple biometrics for redundancy. The political climate is not right at the moment, but all the activity is moving in that direction and even those who object may soon change their stance. If the Registered Traveler program is any barometer, people are willing to provide biometric information so long as they know its use and access are limited.

Opportunities Are Out There, but Procurement Remains Difficult

How important do you believe electronic security systems are in securing America? How do they stack up to just increasing security personnel?

Ridge: One of the principles around which we operated within DHS was the notion that we needed, around the country, to integrate both people and technology. Frankly, the application of various forms of technology throughout the country, either by the public or private sector, will help us become more secure and reduce our vulnerability to attack. That includes everything from biometrics through surveillance equipment and other protective security technology.

At the end of the day, I believe it is only through the appropriate integration of people and technology that we will truly maximize our national ability to reduce threat of attack. With the billions we are sending to states and local government, there are a lot of applications and opportunities for your readers. It is a huge marketplace out there.

What do you recommend the installers of these systems – security dealers and systems integrators – do to land DHS business?

Ridge: I believe it has much to do with marketing of their product, but it is about how they get access to the markets as well. Their mere existence contributes, but it is about getting those tools into the hands of those who need them.

I know that during my tenure, DHS was recognized for the number of small businesses that got contracts from us. However, I do not see some of your subscribers getting opportunities to bid on government buildings, as I am quite confident they go out to the large companies. Most would have to be subcontractors.

One of the challenges when we merged agencies was we had to consolidate multiple procurement departments. Although that undertaking hopefully will eventually simplify the process, it may presently be somewhat confusing and convoluted. Your readership should know that the department continues to work to improve the procurement process and become even more aggressive in terms of outreach toward small business.

Too many small businesses may look to the infrastructure protection unit as a potential source of funding and they should know, although that department deals with the private sector, it does not fund private security measures. Your readers should be mindful that Congress and the department will continue sending hundreds of millions of dollars to local and state government, which is a potential source of work.

By and large, the government is going to look to the private sector to absorb the cost for its own enhanced security. This is the greatest potential market and the greatest challenge because it is based on your readers having to make their business case.

DHS raises the issues of enhanced security among those in the private sector, but it is ultimately up to your readers to do the work, not the government. Look, DHS is aware procurement is difficult and is trying to improve it, but small businesses have to step up as well.

For some small businesses, contacting either the director of procurement [Greg Rothwell] or private sector liaison [Alfonso Martinez-Fonts] within the department might be worthwhile. [Editor’s note: For more on procurement, see sidebar on page 96 and feature on page 102]

Misfires Will Not Deter Equipment, Systems Expenditures

Do you believe most government officials in positions that impact the acquisition and deployment of electronic security systems understand their capabilities and value?

Ridge: I certainly hope so. Whether we are talking airports, borders, chemical or nuclear sites, you will always need to deploy the latest technology.

There is a tendency for some officials to look at a vulnerability and say we need more people, and in fact, much of security is labor intensive. But unless technology becomes part of the comprehensive plan to reduce that vulnerability, you have failed miserably to provide the maximum level of protection.

Their first inclination is to add more people, but at the end of the day, it is technology, the application of it and the appropriate training of people to use it that significantly enhances homeland security. Technology is a great enabler.

What effect do you believe recent reports about wasted money and time spent on unproven technology will have?

Ridge: DHS had to assess existing technologies, see if there was an immediate application and then look at longer-term investments. There will undoubtedly be research and development [R&D] dollars invested that do not generate a product that has value.

We have certain vulnerabilities and we are trying to reduce the dollars directed, but not all research and dollars will get us where we need to be. But I am quite confident most of the research will pay off.

I believe most people understand when you are looking at technology or medicine, etc., not all dollars will end up with a commercially viable product. So I don’t believe it will chill the notion that R&D is wasteful in the technology arena. We are a country of innovators and entrepreneurs and we have to keep pushing the envelope.

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About the Author

Contact:

Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].

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